Jaime's Review of For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund

For Darkness Shows the Stars

Diana Peterfreund

Hardcover: 416 pages

Publish Date: June 12, 2012

Publisher: Balzer + Bray (Harper Collins)

ISBN:0062006142

Source: ARC from Publisher

Rating: Obsessed

From Goodreads. Generations ago, a genetic experiment gone wrong—the Reduction—decimated humanity, giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology. Eighteen-year-old Luddite Elliot North has always known her place in this caste system. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family’s estate over love. But now the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress and threatening Luddite control; Elliot’s estate is floundering; and she’s forced to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth—an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliott wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she abandoned him. But Elliot soon discovers her childhood friend carries a secret—-one that could change the society in which they live…or bring it to its knees. And again, she’s faced with a choice: cling to what she’s been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she’s ever loved, even if she has lost him forever. Inspired by Jane Austen’s PERSUASION, FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS is a breathtaking romance about opening your mind to the future and your heart to the one person you know can break it.

For Darkness Shows the Stars is one of those rare books that takes an old classic and makes it its own while keeping the beautiful story intact and adding a new modern twist to it. Many of you know I love Jane Austen’s books and that Persuasion is one of my favorites so when I read this synopsis I knew I had to read it. Diana wrote such a beautiful story that I found myself falling hard for a certain Captain Wentforth (Kai) even though I knew he would utterly break my heart. If you’ve read Persuasion or seen the movie you know how this story unfolds but Diana added a Dystopian/Sci-Fi aspect to the story that I adored!

Elliot was such a brave character and seeing her turn her true love away because of duty was heart-wrenching to watch. I know I wouldn’t be able to do it. Another thing I really liked was the letters between Elliot and Kai from when they were children we got to see their friendship grow into something more! The cast of characters in the book range from skeevy and horrid, to brilliant and caring, to dynamic and heroic they were perfect additions to the book. Oh and once more just because I loved Kai he was awful and hurtful but I knew all along his feelings so I could overlook them.

Instead of a passage I wanted to share a couple of the notes between Kai and Elliot because I thought they were awesome!

Dear Kai,

I can’t come to the barn tonight. Tatiana is becoming suspicious. Ever since she took over the household duties, she’s been acting like she can tell me what to do as well.

Yours,

Elliot

Dear Elliot,

Of course she does. She knows your mother isn’t here to protect you anymore. But you know what the solution is: stay out of her way.

Stay here.

Stay with me.

Yours,

Kai

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